Back at the weekend...

A black limousine travels the streets of Charleston at night. Inside is a driver and a family composed of a father, a mother and a son.

"Victor, we will arrive in the theater in another 10 minutes. Try to act like a gentleman and don't let me and your mother down." Victor's father says, while looking out the window, admiring a group of scantily clad women walking on the street. His wife sat impassively beside him, looking at her cellphone and ignoring her surroundings.

"Yes, father." Victor answers with his face blank of whatever emotion.

"You know what your music selection for tonight is. Don't make mistakes."

"Yes, father."

"After today you will still have three more concerts to do this month."

Frowning slightly in displeasure Victor made the mistake of asking. "More concerts, father?"

Turning around sharply to look at his one and only son, from where he was sitting in the limousine, he answers "Are you questioning me, you little shit? Don't forget that I am your father and whatever I say is the law!"

Shrinking back from the anger and curses directed at him Victor simply answered "As you wish, father."

Turning his attention outside again Victor's dad mutters "I don't know why you dislike these events so much, they bring in the girls."

Choosing to ignore his father's musings Victor looks down at his hands and try to remember the melody notes that were running through his mind a few weeks ago. He sometimes could hear a new song forming in his mind, and he enjoyed composing, but it was becoming harder to hear those notes. It's like the fountain where they came from was drying.

Arriving at the theater he pastes on a fake smile on his face and starts greeting the crowd with all the false delight and aplomb that he could muster. Barely ten minutes later and he is already feeling emotionally exhausted from all the socializing and drama.

This is going to be a long night...

......

Monday morning...

Sitting down beside his friends in the courtyard that morning before the beginning of their classes, Victor stays quiet, distracted, until the contents of their conversation attracts his attention. Turning to Kota he asks. "What do you mean you were found in the middle of a brawl with Nathan by a little girl and then rescued from the school doctor by another guy?"

Looking at his friend sheepishly he answers. "Me and Nathan lost our tempers with each other and were caught."

This was something that was occurring more frequently, these outbursts of violence coming from the normally quiet boys. Victor knew that as leader of this group it was his job to fix the situation. The mantle of leadership settled heavy on his shoulder, he hated it but he would carry it for his friends. They didn't know it but they were one of the very few good things in his life. He needed them around and he needed them to be happy and safe.

He wasn't good at this. Actually he wasn't good at many things, his use resumed in playing the piano for his parents, making money and trying to lead his friends. But there was very little aside from money and advice that he could offer them. He couldn't even ensure that they were safe at their homes. He was so useless. His father said it all the time and he was completely right.

And now there was this new treat to consider.

Who exactly were these kids, and what did they want with them?

Would the leave the matter alone and not interfere anymore with their group or would they cause trouble?

Thesequestions wouldn't answer themselves. Turning to his friends he asked.

"Did you get the name of any of them?"

Nathan and Kota looked down with embarrassment, without answering, while Luke and Gabe looked on slightly amused that their friends had been so distracted that they forgot to gather information.

Sighing resignedly Victor told them, "Never mind, just point them out to me when you see them and I will do the rest." and ran his fingers through his hair feeling the beginnings of a headache. He hadn't quite recovered from the long weekend yet and was still feeling emotionally exhausted.

Zoning out of the conversation going on around him he was startled when the bell rang for the start of class. Looking up he was met with Kota's concerned eyes. The boy seemed like he wanted to say something to Victor, but changed his mind and got up to head to class, all the other guys following behind him.

He knew... Victor thought. Kota was very observant and he could tell that something was wrong with him.

Sighing, Victor stood up and went after his friends.

...

Recess...

"Miss Sang."

Looking up from my homework I am faced with steel gray eyes, watching my every move. Owen's gaze has a way of unnerving me because I feel like he can read my mind sometimes.

"Mr. Blackbourne." I greet him teasingly, reminiscent of how he made Gabriel call him in the infirmary.

Raising one eyebrow at my daring he gives me a millimeter smile to show his amusement of my sudden use of a more formal manner of address and sits down beside me.

"Someone is feeling very sure of herself today." He comments.

Looking up at him, because even sitting by my side he is still taller than me, I question. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing, it was just an observation."

"Do you like observing things, Mr. Blackbourne?"

"The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes." He quoted.

"Sherlock Holmes: The hound of the Baskervilles, from Arthur Conan Doyle." She commented.

Smiling again at her knowing of one of his favorites books, Owen told her, "Indeed Miss Sang-whatever-your-surname-is, that was the correct book I quoted from, and as for your question, yes, I do like observing all things around me. I believe this leads to a large accumulation of interesting knowledge, don't you agree?"

Already knowing where this conversation was going, Sang felt a mixture of trepidation and excitement along with relief. "Perhaps, tell me, what have you learned from your more recent observations, Mr. Blackbourne?"

"I have the suspicion that a little bird is trying to maneuver a trio of dogs into adopting a bunch of stray pups." He says quite seriously.

Trying to look innocent she looks at him and says. "I don't think I understand what you are talking about."

The look he sends her is a command to spill the beans and she immediately obeys. "Well... Maybe I do know... so, what did you think of Gabriel today? He has four other friends who are very... interesting." She rambles nervously, raising her finger to her lips.

"I find that Mr. Coleman has an incredibly disturbing vocabulary and is lacking in manners." He comments as if this was the most important aspect from his observations. Her sudden giggling is his reward. Smiling at her for a little before he become serious again he continues with his observations. "I also find that he has quite a few shadows hiding in his eyes. It's a look that I've learned to associate with abuse and pain, and considering that you are very interested in this group of boys and already led three out of five to me and Sean, I am guessing that you are trying to tell us that they are all suffering and need help."

Studying his eyes for a moment to see if he is irritated by her manipulations, she answers when she finds nothing but calm acceptance in his gaze. "I would like it very much if you could help them, Owen. These boys have been doing their best to help and protect the other kids in this school even without them being aware of it. It is time someone returned the favor. I can tell that you and... your friends? Associates? Well, you are capable of things that others aren't, you have means that no one else does."

"And how is it that you are so certain of that, Miss Sang?"

Blushing, she tells him, striving for a calmness that she didn't really feel. "I've been eavesdropping, of course."

"Of course." He repeats, sounding like he is deep in thought while he maintains his face blank.

While he was distracted, considering what she had just told him, her mind goes back to the group of five boys. She didn't really know them. She'd only today spoken with one of them if you didn't count her screaming at Kota and Nathan a few days ago.

But she'd know about them for a couple of years now. She'd watched how they always stood together without allowing strangers into their group, she'd seen a few of them trying to hide limping and bruises with clothing or badly applied make up, she'd also noted how they were always around when a bully got a little payback, or an injustice was corrected.

She'd felt a connection with them from the first, but never dared to approach, for fear of rejection.

When she met Owen and Sean and learned that they could help her she thought that they could help the boys too. She decided that she'd make them their priority. She could deal with her home life, it wasn't always so bad. She would wait until the boys lives were settled before she accepted help for herself.

"Miss Sang."

Snapping out of her musings Sang turned her attention back to Owen.

"Yes, Owen?"

"We will help them." He promised me.

Beaming at him I leaned over, throwing my arms around his neck and gave him a hug. She had never hugged anyone before, at least not that she could remember. At first stiff in her arms, he soon relaxed and hugged her back, putting his arms around her waist and resting his hands in her back. Even his hug was all correct and proper, but it was also warm and soothing. She felt like she'd just found her home and barely managed to contain the tears that suddenly sprung in her eyes.

She wasn't alone anymore. She had friends now. Keeping them was a risk, but it was a risk that she was willing to take.

......

Once the bell to recess rang, he and his friends gathered at their usual spot in the courtyard.

Sitting on their table he notices that Kota and Gabriel haven't arrived yet. Turning in his seat to look around worriedly Victor soon spots his all too observant friend. Kota was coming to them from the direction of the three, localized in the corner of the courtyard, which was very strange because it's localized distantly from the doors that led to the inside of the school.

Looking in the direction of said doors he spotted Gabriel, looking a bit dazed while walking towards them.

"Hey Gabe! I thought daydreaming was Luke's habit, not yours!" Nathan shouted when Gabriel got within hearing distance, which resulted in Luke slapping the back of his head.

"Shut the fuck up, Nate." He said without heat as Kota arrived and sat down between Luke and Nathan on the other side of the table.

Sitting beside me in the bench he turned suddenly serious. "I have something to tell you guys so quiet down and listen up."

Turning our attention to him we listened quietly as he told us about his morning, being grabbed by the bullies, being rescued by a little girl named Sang, which resulted in a lot of teasing, and meeting her friend, Owen. He told us everything with a lot of cursing in between.

Once he was finished we just sat there in silence, absorbing the information.

"Guys," Kota called our attention. "I think that this girl is the same one that me and Nate met. I just saw her sitting with a guy wearing glasses under the three. I think he might be the Owen that Gabriel mentioned. He sure fit the description."

"If you are right then we really need investigate these people. They might have been watching us and taken notice of our movements. I will see what I can find about them after school."

Just then the bell ring and we all return to class. I have music class next and am heading over to the music room when I spot a tiny girl that fits Gabriel's description walking ahead of me. Making a quick decision I walk over to her and call. "Hey!"

The girl turns around and looks right at me, in her eyes I see a spark of recognition which means she knows exactly who I am.

"Hey." She answers me quietly. She doesn't looks surprised that I called for her, and I conclude that she has indeed been watching us.

Offering her my hand I say, "Hello, I'm Victor Morgan, thought you probably already know this."

Taking my hand in hers we shake and she responds "It's nice to meet you Victor, I'm Sang, thought you probably already knows this too." She gives a tiny, shy smile.

Going with my instincts and risking looking like a rude fool I ask, "Care to tell me what you want with me and my friends?"

Smiling a little more she merely responds "Nothing you wouldn't do for any of the kids in need in this school if you could."

For a couple of minutes we just stand there, staring at each other while the other kids run around us, sometimes bumping in us on their hurry to get to class. Then, as if having reached a mutual agreement we turn around and start walking to class.

She enters the same room as me, which surprises me a little since I hadn't even noticed her before. I am even more surprised as I watch her go for the pile of classical music sheets. Today is a free day and we can choose our own sheets to try on.

Sitting by her side I see that she has a violin in her lap while she reads through her chosen sheet, studying the musical notes.

"You play the violin?" I ask a little dumbstruck. None of the other kids from their school played classic instruments. The few students that attended music class generally went for the guitar, the bass or the drums.

"Not really, I started to play just this year and still sound like cats scratching a blackboard." She says and I bust out laughing.

She grins at me and I quiet down enough to tell her, "You know, most people do sound like they are killing something when they are learning to play. You aren't the only one, Princess." I don't know where the nickname came from, but it felt natural to call her that. Maybe it was the air of quiet elegance that she had, she moved with a grace and posture that wasn't common in such a young kid, or such a poor one.

She giggles at my comment and then responds "Thank you for the encouragement, Victor. Now, tell me, what do you like to play?"

"I usually play classical music." I tell her.

"I know you usually play classical music; I read about it in the journals, I am asking what you like to play." She states.

A little surprised at the question I end up telling her the truth. "I do like to play classical music, but I prefer to compose my own."

At hearing this her eyes light up. "Really? Wow, that's amazing! I am so jealous. I can barely play the violin, composing my own song is completely out of question."

I blush a little at her compliment. What is it with this girl? Why don't I feel as uncomfortable with her as I do with the girls that my parents often present me or the others that I meet here in the school?

Is it because she hasn't mentioned my money yet? Usually they do, and she knows who I am so she knows how rich my family is. Maybe she is bidding her time. She must be waiting for the right time to become as demanding and greedy as the other girls usually are.

Shaking these thoughts from my mind for the moment I ask her. "What about you? What kinds of music do you like?"

"Oh, I listen to all sorts of music, rock, pop, electronic, rap, hip-hop, blues, even some international styles like the samba and such. And yes, I know that it's weird."

Fascinated he says, "Not at all, I am actually curious to hear your playlist."

Looking like she is suddenly in deep thought she says lightly "Maybe we can make an agreement."

Great, now she is going to tell me that she will give me a CD with music in exchange for something pricey that I will have to buy for her. This was too good to be true. Trying to hide de disappointment from my face and voice I ask her. "What kind of agreement?"

"I will lend you my favorite CD, in which I recorded my favorite songs, and in exchange..." here it comes... "I'd like for you to lend me one of those books in computer programming and electronics, or anything that you might have for camera installation and use of recorders, please? I promise to take good care of whatever you choose to lend me."

I take a moment to process her words, then another to start to believe then. She wants books about computers and electronics. She wants me to lend them to her, not buy a new one, or buy something that normal girl would want like a cell phone or a high-priced doll, or anything else...

When I feel her fingers under my chin I notice that my mouth had popped open in shock. I must look like a fool.

Looking at her face I see that she seems a bit uncomfortable, and my observation is proved when she starts to ramble "Of course, you don't really need to lend them to me if you don't want. I just became a little interested and I couldn't help but notice you walking through school with them sometimes. But I will still lend you my CD if you wish..."

At that I raise my hand to stop her rambling and say "No, that's ok. I will bring you the books tomorrow. There's quite a few of them so I will bring them a little at a time or you don't be able to carry them, Princess."

Having heard my agreement she beamed at me and I thought that it was good to make such a unique girl happy, almost as good as helping his brothers. It proved that he was good for something besides bringing money and fame for his parents.

Maybe he had more worth than he'd thought.